Shop online this Rakshabandhan with gifts, discounts

There are many sisters too, who refrain from going to crowded markets but still want best of rakhi for their brothers. ALLAHABAD: Gopal, an executive, wanted to gift something to his four sisters on this year's Rakshabandan but was not finding time to visit a mall.

Then his 17-year-old niece showed him the gamut of offers available on various online stores. He purchased four dinner sets and the best part is that these would be delivered to his sisters as surprise gifts.

There are many sisters too, who refrain from going to crowded markets but still want best of rakhi for their brothers. For these enthusiastic yet choosy buyers, online shopping has come as a good option.

The online stores, on various sites, have a galaxy of items from those which can be purchased by brothers and sisters. Different gift items, money pouches and even makeup gift cards are luring the buyers, which are finding it a perfect place to spend money, without tension of sparing time for this specific purpose.

These online stores have started luring the buyers by various promotional schemes resulting into availability of these items on competitive prices. Several household items are available on discount, ranging from 15% to 35%, and in some items it has reached the level of 65%. These online stores have introduced the idea of gift vouchers too, which can be enchased in next 12 months for variety of items that are available on these websites.

Available at the cost of Rs 1,000 to 10,000, these gift vouchers also have Re 1 coin pasted on it.

The online stores are also providing gift vouchers, which would reduce the bills of beauty parlors of sisters and it will save around 15% of the gift cost too.

The vouchers are for outfit stores, pizza corners, spa, branded clothes and even mobiles and other electronic goods.

Equally excellent is the range of rakhi that are available online. "Most of the middle class and youngsters are frequently using online shopping for different electronic items, the concept of selling rakhi is very useful for girls, who usually avoid crowded markets and unable to haggle with shopkeepers who often charge exorbitant prices during the festival," Anupama said.

Smita, a student said, "Good shops are in Chowk, Katra or Civil Lines and all these markets are full of traffic jams but now it is good that these items are just a click of a button away. However, will the ordered item reach within time, is one problem which is making even diehard supporters of online shopping to refrain from it."